• Burmese
Monday, July 14, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
28 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Photo Essay

‘I’m Only Interested in What I Do Next’

Kyaw Phyo Tha by Kyaw Phyo Tha
March 3, 2014
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
‘I’m Only Interested in What I Do Next’

Win Pe talks to visitors of his Win Pe 1 art exhibition at Beikthano gallery in Rangoon. Click on the box below to see more images. (Photo: Kyaw Phyo Tha / The Irrawaddy) |Win Pe talks to visitors of his Win Pe 1 art exhibition at Beikthano gallery in Rangoon. (Photo: Kyaw Phyo Tha / The Irrawaddy) |Dancing With Brutality|Unknown work |Lion But…|Tribute to Enemy|Checker Players|Gemini|Visitors look at the works of Win Pe. |Peeping|Mandalay Moat (2)

8.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RANGOON — At his first solo show back in Burma after living for 19 years in the United States, one of Burma’s most celebrated artists, Win Pe, says he puts the paintings he doesn’t like anymore on display.

He doesn’t say he no longer specifically likes those 44 Acrylic paintings shown at Win Pe 1 art exhibition, which is now open to public at Beikthano art gallery in Rangoon, but he says, “as soon as I finish painting a picture, I no longer love it anymore.

“I know it’s not good for saying I don’t like what I’ve painted. It can’t be helped as I’m only interested in what I do next,” said the 79-year old artist.

RelatedPosts

Martyrs’ Day Openly Commemorated by Thousands Nationwide

Martyrs’ Day Openly Commemorated by Thousands Nationwide

July 19, 2016
17.3k
Migrants’ Hopes and Fears in Little Burma

Migrants’ Hopes and Fears in Little Burma

July 16, 2016
10.3k
YCDC Takes to the Streets to Sterilize Stray Dogs

YCDC Takes to the Streets to Sterilize Stray Dogs

July 15, 2016
7.4k

“My technique is subjective to spontaneity, like stream of consciousness. If I get an idea, I just put it down on canvas at once,” he explained. “If not, my mind is drifting into another new idea,” he added.

At his first solo show, most of colorful artworks of Win Pe are based on Zodiac signs, accompanied with Burmese women wearing longyis, with mouths conspicuously absent from their faces. However, visitors would find the artist’s reminiscence to Mandalay, his native city in upper Burma, in some paintings with its old moat—the city’s landmark—in the background, while there are also a couple of politically motivated works, too.

Widely known as a “multi-talented artist”, Win Pe is a movie director, scriptwriter, novelist, cartoonist and artist. He has played a leading role in the evolution of modern art in Burma.

Once blacklisted by the Burmese government for his outspoken criticism of the junta while participating in an international writing program at the University of Iowa in 1994, he was only able to visit his native country last year after he was finally removed from the list.

He said he worked on more than half of the paintings displayed at Win Pe 1 during his current visit to the country, which began about a month ago and will last for a few more months.
“Now I focus more on painting given to my age and health,” he said before adding he still hasn’t decided yet whether to settle back in his native country as the situation here is still unclear.

“If everything is fine and good, it’s out of question that everyone loves to be in their home country,” he said. When talking about his paintings, the multi-talented artist said he is just playing with visual elements and paints whatever he likes.

“I only care about doing what I want to. If someone likes my painting, I take it as an additional success. If they buy it, I feel I’m lucky!” he said.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Multimedia
Kyaw Phyo Tha

Kyaw Phyo Tha

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

A Chronology of the Kachin Conflict
Military

A Chronology of the Kachin Conflict

by The Irrawaddy
November 20, 2014
42.8k

On Wednesday, the Burma Army shelled a Kachin rebel base killing 22 cadets, making it one of the deadliest incidents...

Read moreDetails
Astrologists Tell the Future
Photo Essay

Astrologists Tell the Future, Offer Hope in Burma

by San Yamin Aung
September 26, 2013
4.7k

Fortune-tellers around the world tap into a natural desire to know what’s in store next, and the Burmese seem to...

Read moreDetails
The Last of the Old Irrawaddy Flotilla
Photo Essay

The Last of the Old Irrawaddy Flotilla

by Tim Willasey Wilsey
March 4, 2013
12.4k

If you go on Burma’s Irrawaddy River you can find 70-year-old, Scottish-built paddle steamers still plying the waters—the last of...

Read moreDetails
Iron Cross
Photo Essay

Iron Cross, Burma’s Biggest Band, Rocks Mae Sot

by The Irrawaddy
January 14, 2013
4.3k

After two decades as Burma's hottest rock band, Iron Cross plays its first concert for an appreciative crowd of thousands...

Read moreDetails
8888 Remembered: Archival Images Offer Glimpse of Burma’s Uprising
Military

8888 Remembered: Archival Images Offer Glimpse of Burma’s Uprising

by The Irrawaddy
August 8, 2015
27.7k

The Irrawaddy revisits the 1988 pro-democracy uprising with this series of archival images.

Read moreDetails
Kengtung—Shan State’s Hidden Gem
Photo Essay

Kengtung—Shan State’s Hidden Gem

by Hseng Noung Lintner
June 7, 2012
4.6k

The picturesque eastern Shan State town of Kengtung lies just three hours from the Thai border and is becoming a...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Telcoms Seen Taking Growing Share of Burma’s FDI Pie

Telcoms Seen Taking Growing Share of Burma’s FDI Pie

Wa Leaders Ask President for Autonomous State

Wa Leaders Ask President for Autonomous State

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

5 days ago
1.2k
China’s Surveillance State Watches Everyone, Everywhere

China’s Surveillance State Watches Everyone, Everywhere

6 days ago
1.1k

Most Read

  • ‘Las Vegas in Laos’: the Riverside City Awash With Crime

    ‘Las Vegas in Laos’: the Riverside City Awash With Crime

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s ‘Living Fence’ on Thai Border Falls to Karen Resistance

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TNLA Invites Investment in Ruby and Mineral Towns Amid Myanmar Junta Onslaught

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.